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If you can ignore that the main conflict in this book could be resolved with a single, swift conversation - this is a five star. Alas, I could not completely ignore that fact as it was glaringly obvious to me throughout 70% of the book while the plot develops. Even during the climax, I could not for the life of me understand why certain decisions were made. Not as a matter of opinion, but like factually I couldn’t make it make sense within the story. (But look I find this to be an issue with pretty much every contemporary/Mafia romance so jokes on me!!)
That being said… once the story gets going (which takes a minute, as there are a lot of characters to set up. It’s not gratuitous, it’s well executed) the writing style and characters were really enjoyable to me, I loved their individual development and this author definitely has a knack for banter and purposeful dialogue. This was really what kept me intrigued, I also felt like the author effortlessly kept me interested in the side characters as well - so despite me not buying into the main conflict/premise of this book, I’ll definitely be continuing the series. The tension is high and the spice is layered in nicely to the story in a way that makes sense.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Religious bigotry, Abandonment
- This was an easy read, no brain power was required
- I found the
fictional dementia where the author made up a new type of dementia pretty insulting. I’ve seen friends and family mentally leave before they physically do so, and this just felt like a slap in the face so I can’t imagine how much worse I’d have felt if it was someone even closer to me - The female main character is in fact not bad or a sinner
- Don’t worry the male main character is in fact bad and probably fits the definition of a sinner
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Medical content, Dementia
Minor: Cancer
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Pregnancy
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Classism
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury
First rating: 2.75
I sat down and really pondered what to rate this book. The rating might change.... it might stay the same. Idk.
I did not particularly enjoy the first 60-70% of this book. It wasn't bad but idk I spent a good portion of it mentally telling Rory she's a victim and needs to somehow magically get out of her situation.
The last 30% tho... ate that shit up like I get what the dark romance girls love . . . A Lil bit.
I wanted to make this a 3 star so bad but like the handful of references that she's young enough to be his daughter, and other things did not sit right with me.
Somehow Angelo is simultaneously a horrible man and yet no one is doing it like him.
This book did achieve something tho, the fact that I'm conflicted on how to rate is proof enough because it's not bad enough to deserve anything less than a 3 but it's not good enough to sit with my other 3 stars yk.
I had a time in those last percentages so maybe I'll just rate that and give it a nice 2.75. . Maybe
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury